A capsule look at Clemson's NFL draft prospects

Published: Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 10:46 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 10:46 p.m.

WR DeAndre Hopkins

Facts

Byrnes/Florida State

DL EVERETT DAWKINSHeight: 6-2Weight: 2922012 stats: 26 tackles, 1.5 for loss, .5 sacksCareer stats: 132 tackles, 16.5 for loss, 7.5 sacksAnalysis: Converted defensive end is still working on gaining the strength and bulk required to play inside at the next level, but his quick first step and overall speed are huge positives in a league where mobile quarterbacks are becoming the norm. He was good at penetrating and filling gaps in the line. Dawkins played on a very talented FSU defense that used a heavy rotation filled with potential NFL players, so he doesn’t possess eye-popping stats and could be overshadowed by some other former teammates.Draft slot: Rounds 5-7

Height: 6-1

Weight: 214

2012 stats: 82-1,405, 18 TDs

Career stats: 205-3,009, 27 TDs

Analysis: Solid strength for a wide-out and masterful route runner who is equally effective in the short, intermediate and deep passing games. Hopkins possesses wonderful concentration and toughness that combined with strong hands can really get after the ball in traffic or in tight single coverage. Not near the top among available receivers in speed, but still showed plenty of ability to get deep behind defenders. Projects as a Sidney Rice type at the next level as a player without overly intriguing athletic skills, but simply gets to and catches the football.

Draft slot: Late first round to mid-second.

RB Andre Ellington

Height: 5-9

Weight: 199

2012 stats: 212-1,081, 8 TDs; 14-232-1

Career stats: 621-3,436, 33 TDs; 59-505-2

Analysis: Not overly fast or elusive, but showed outstanding patience, balance, and a nose for finding creases into the secondary. Has a knack for getting into the end zone despite lacking great size. Durability is a concern since he was often injured during his college career. Has some ability as a return man, which could help boost his stock. Played in a pass-heavy offense so can catch it out of the backfield and is decent in pass protection.

Draft slot: Rounds 3-4

C Dalton Freeman

Height: 6-5

Weight: 285

Stats: Posted 170 career knockdown blocks.

Analysis: Possesses good football intelligence, and while undersized could be a decent fit for a team that uses a zone-blocking scheme. Solid durability after setting a school record for career snaps, and despite earning all-conference honors is a bit under the pro radar after being left off the combine invite list. Having played the last two years under Chad Morris’ fast-paced system could help make him more attractive to those teams looking to go no-huddle.

Draft slot: Rounds 6-7

DL Malliciah Goodman

Height: 6-4

Weight: 274

2012 stats: 28 tackles, 9.5 for loss, 7 sacks

Career stats: 150 tackles, 21.5 for loss, 12 sacks.

Analysis: Has always been a guy with all the intangibles, but whose natural ability never seemed to fully translate to on-field performance. Has massive hands and arm extension while leaving scouts with a lot to think about after a huge bowl game performance against LSU that included three sacks. That game could leave many to wonder where that was all season, but also shows he could be a work in progress whose best could be yet to come with NFL coaching.

Draft slot: Rounds 4-6

S Rashard Hall

Height: 6-1

Weight: 210

2012 stats: 85 tackles, 3.5 for loss, 4 INTs

Career stats: 292 tackles, 10.5 for loss, 14 INTs

Analysis: Inconsistent at times, but has a good frame and serviceable speed to have a shot at the next level. He has solid ball skills with a knack for getting to and reacting to the throw. Among the school’s all-time leaders in interceptions and once securing the ball was regularly good at taking it the other way after the catch.

Draft slot: Rounds 6-7

TE Brandon Ford

Height: 6-3

Weight: 245

2012 stats: 40-480, 8 TDs

Career stats: 65-728, 12 TDs

Analysis: Wasn’t invited to the combine, but made an impression on scouts after running a solid 4.74 and showing off 10 pounds of added muscle during Pro Day. He was a major contributor in Clemson’s pro-style offense and has the skill-set as an athletic, pass-catching tight end that has become en vogue in the NFL. He aptly filled the shoes of predecessor Dwayne Allen, a third-round pick named to several all-rookie teams last season.

Draft slot: Could emerge as a Day 3 sleeper, although likely won’t go earlier than the sixth round.

<p><b>WR DeAndre Hopkins</b></p><p><b>Height:</b> 6-1</p><p><b>Weight:</b> 214</p><p><b>2012 stats:</b> 82-1,405, 18 TDs</p><p><b>Career stats:</b> 205-3,009, 27 TDs</p><p><b>Analysis:</b> Solid strength for a wide-out and masterful route runner who is equally effective in the short, intermediate and deep passing games. Hopkins possesses wonderful concentration and toughness that combined with strong hands can really get after the ball in traffic or in tight single coverage. Not near the top among available receivers in speed, but still showed plenty of ability to get deep behind defenders. Projects as a Sidney Rice type at the next level as a player without overly intriguing athletic skills, but simply gets to and catches the football.</p><p><b>Draft slot:</b> Late first round to mid-second.</p><p><b>RB Andre Ellington</b></p><p><b>Height:</b> 5-9</p><p><b>Weight:</b> 199</p><p><b>2012 stats:</b> 212-1,081, 8 TDs; 14-232-1</p><p><b>Career stats:</b> 621-3,436, 33 TDs; 59-505-2</p><p><b>Analysis:</b> Not overly fast or elusive, but showed outstanding patience, balance, and a nose for finding creases into the secondary. Has a knack for getting into the end zone despite lacking great size. Durability is a concern since he was often injured during his college career. Has some ability as a return man, which could help boost his stock. Played in a pass-heavy offense so can catch it out of the backfield and is decent in pass protection.</p><p><b>Draft slot:</b> Rounds 3-4</p><p><b>C Dalton Freeman</b></p><p><b>Height:</b> 6-5</p><p><b>Weight:</b> 285</p><p>Stats: Posted 170 career knockdown blocks.</p><p><b>Analysis:</b> Possesses good football intelligence, and while undersized could be a decent fit for a team that uses a zone-blocking scheme. Solid durability after setting a school record for career snaps, and despite earning all-conference honors is a bit under the pro radar after being left off the combine invite list. Having played the last two years under Chad Morris' fast-paced system could help make him more attractive to those teams looking to go no-huddle.</p><p><b>Draft slot:</b> Rounds 6-7</p><p><b>DL Malliciah Goodman</b></p><p><b>Height:</b> 6-4</p><p><b>Weight:</b> 274</p><p><b>2012 stats:</b> 28 tackles, 9.5 for loss, 7 sacks</p><p><b>Career stats:</b> 150 tackles, 21.5 for loss, 12 sacks.</p><p><b>Analysis:</b> Has always been a guy with all the intangibles, but whose natural ability never seemed to fully translate to on-field performance. Has massive hands and arm extension while leaving scouts with a lot to think about after a huge bowl game performance against LSU that included three sacks. That game could leave many to wonder where that was all season, but also shows he could be a work in progress whose best could be yet to come with NFL coaching.</p><p><b>Draft slot:</b> Rounds 4-6</p><p><b>S Rashard Hall</b></p><p><b>Height:</b> 6-1</p><p><b>Weight:</b> 210</p><p><b>2012 stats:</b> 85 tackles, 3.5 for loss, 4 INTs</p><p><b>Career stats:</b> 292 tackles, 10.5 for loss, 14 INTs</p><p><b>Analysis:</b> Inconsistent at times, but has a good frame and serviceable speed to have a shot at the next level. He has solid ball skills with a knack for getting to and reacting to the throw. Among the school's all-time leaders in interceptions and once securing the ball was regularly good at taking it the other way after the catch. </p><p><b>Draft slot:</b> Rounds 6-7</p><p><b>TE Brandon Ford</b></p><p><b>Height:</b> 6-3</p><p><b>Weight:</b> 245</p><p><b>2012 stats:</b> 40-480, 8 TDs</p><p><b>Career stats:</b> 65-728, 12 TDs </p><p><b>Analysis:</b> Wasn't invited to the combine, but made an impression on scouts after running a solid 4.74 and showing off 10 pounds of added muscle during Pro Day. He was a major contributor in Clemson's pro-style offense and has the skill-set as an athletic, pass-catching tight end that has become en vogue in the NFL. He aptly filled the shoes of predecessor Dwayne Allen, a third-round pick named to several all-rookie teams last season.</p><p><b>Draft slot:</b> Could emerge as a Day 3 sleeper, although likely won't go earlier than the sixth round.</p>